using project outcome data in grant applications...dec 08, 2016  · journalism. material, such as...

Using Project Outcome Data in

Grant Applications

December 8, 2016

Today’s Speakers

Crystal SchimpfProject Outcome

Facilitator

Jen SweeneyProgram Evaluation &

Management Planning Consultant

Adjunct Faculty, Simmons College

Beth HatchSpecial Projects Manager

Cleveland Heights – University

Heights Public Library (Ohio)

Today’s Agenda

• Using Outcome Data in Grant Applications

• From the Field:

Cleveland Heights – University Heights Library

• Questions & Discussion

• Announcements

Poll:

Has your library started using

Project Outcome tools & surveys?

If yes – click “Raise Hand” icon

If yes – click “Raise Hand” icon

Poll:

Do you consider yourself as being

“new” to Project Outcome?

About Project Outcome

Surveys for 7 Service Areas

Free Project Outcome Training Resources

• Getting Started

• Surveys

• Data Collection

• Data Analysis

• Taking Action

• From the Field

Webinar Archives

Making Sense of Survey Results (October 13, 2016)

Communicating Your Results (November 10, 2016)

Community of Practice

www.projectoutcome.org

Using Outcome Data in Grant Applications

Jen Sweeney

jksweeney572@gmail.com

Using data in grant applications…

Why

Where

How

• Show understanding of

what funder wants

• Demonstrate need

• Prove ability to perform

• Establish ability to evaluate

What can data do for you ?

Where to use data in grants

• Here, there, and everywhere!

• Description of organization

• Need for program

• Experience

• Work plan

• Evaluation plan

Before you sit down to write…

Gather documents:

• Library description, history,

service pop, community

characteristics, statistics

• Needs assessments

• Press clippings and other

(good) PR

• PROGRAM EVALUATIONS

Limit adjectives, don’t exaggerate

Be selective with acronyms

Provide evidence for claims

Use active voice

Which statement is stronger?

A. Anytown Public Library provides outstanding, exhilarating, and high quality literacy services to disadvantaged poor children.

B. The Children’s Literacy Program at Anytown Public Library was cited for excellence by the American Library Association in 2015, serving over 500 children in the pilot project. In parent surveys, 82% of participants increased the amount of time spent reading to their children as a result of attending the program.

How about this one?

A. Anytown Public Library will provide participants with a suite of SW including access to and instruction on OCLC and EBSCO databases, ILL, and other services through DOCDEL. Previous participants were happy with this program.

B. Anytown Public Library will provide participants with access to and instruction on databases of full-text articles and participants will also be able to order materials from other libraries. Prior participants were enthusiastic about this feature:

“…it was a very valuable experience... I learned about resources I had no idea existed. Thank you!”

One more!

A. Young people really like the library’s Teen Center,

with teens showing up every day after school to

hang out, read, and play video games.

B. The library surveyed the Teen Center use during

its 2016 Summer Reading program and the

results showed that 78% of teen respondents

learned something new from what they read or

experienced. 68% also reported wanting to use

the library more often.

Why reinvent

the wheel ?

boil er plate (boi lėr-plāt) n.

1. A steel plate used in making the shells of steam boilers.

2. Journalism. Material, such as syndicated features and repeated items such as the masthead, available in plate or mat form.

Material you can re-use:

• Organizational description

• Program experience

• Job descriptions

• Timeline (template)

• Staff expertise

Resources

Karsh, Ellen, and Arlen Sue Fox.

The Only Grant Writing Book You'll Ever Need. New York: Perseus Books, 2006.

Grantspace: A Service of the Foundation Center http://grantspace.org/

Contact email: jksweeney572@gmail.com

Thank you!

What questions do you have?

Please share in chat

Cleveland Heights – University Heights Public Library

Beth Hatch

bhatch@heightslibrary.org

Cleveland-Heights University Heights PL

4 Branches– Northeast Ohio

Dollar General Literacy Foundation Grants*

• Adult Literacy

• Family Literacy

• Summer Reading Grants

• Youth Literacy Grant

• School Library Relief “Beyond Word”

http://www2.dollargeneral.com/dgliteracy/Pages/grant_programs.aspx

*Available grants as of 2016

Grant Opportunities

Dollar General Summer Reading Club Grant

• Targets

Below grade level readers

New readers

Readers with learning disabilities

• Maximum Grant Amount: $3,000

• Need 501c3

Grant Opportunity

• Number to be served:

400 new readers between ages 0-7

• Budget - $3,000

• Target audience: New reader

Our Targets

• Participants #, Budget, Timeline

• Target audience

New reader, below grade, disabilities

• Drop out rate, Poverty level

• Statement of impact

• Measurable results

• Assessment methods

*Requirements for 2016 DG summer reading application. May not be

verbatim in future grant applications.

Some Requirements for Grant*

Describe the specific, measurable results that

indicate student improvement you expect to have

achieved at the end of the funding period. Avoid

using ambiguous phrases such as "satisfied,

improved, enhanced, etc." to define success. Use

quantitative, not qualitative data to report results.

Example: Fifteen students will increase their

reading comprehension by one grade level.

Measureable Results

Describe the methods that will be used to assess

the effectiveness of your program throughout its

progression. Describe the measurement tool that

will be used to track education gains and the

frequency of measurement.

Assessment Methods

Summer Reading Survey – Caregiver

• My child maintained or increased his/

her reading skills.

• My child is a more confident reader.

• My child reads more often.

• My child uses the library more often.

List of Questions: https://www.projectoutcome.org/surveys-

resources/outcome-measurement-survey-questions

Project Outcome Survey - Tool

75% designated as new readers will successfully

complete ten early learning activities

75% of new readers and their parents will answer

agree or strongly agree to survey questions:

• Learned something helpful

• Reading confidence improved

• Increased reading skills

Measureable Results – Our Goal

Paper SurveysCollecting the Results

• 592 new readers registered

• 205 completed

• 72 surveys collected

85% reported their child maintained or increased their

reading skills

76% reported their child is a more confident reader

80% reported their child reads more often

74% reported their child uses the library more often

Outcome / Impact

Lessons learned / looking forward

• Customization

• Communication

• Future surveying

Questions: Contact bhatch@heightslibrary.org

Conclusion

What questions do you have?

Please share in chat

What have you learned that will help you

use outcome data in grant applications?

Please share in chat

Community of Practice

www.projectoutcome.org

Free Project Outcome Training Resources

• Getting Started

• Surveys

• Data Collection

• Data Analysis

• Taking Action

• From the Field

Next Webinar – Save the Date

Outcome Measurement Made Easy with Project Outcome

Thursday, January 12, 2016

1-2 pm Central

Registration is now open!

If you haven’t already…

• Sign up on the Project Outcome website

• Browse free training resources

• Schedule a survey

• Review results

• Join the Project Outcome Facebook group

• Follow Project Outcome on Twitter

• Continue the conversation on Community of Practice

www.projectoutcome.org

Thank you!